Solfonating PVA Membrane for PEM hydrogen fuel cell

In this study, a polymer membrane made from PVA solution was prepared by casting method in Petrio-dish with different percentages in the following order: (1,2,3,4,5) wtof (sulfonic acid) The membrane was used as a Membrane in a hydrogen fuel cell that was manufactured in the laboratory. The PVA membrane fixed in between two Pt coated Ti mesh Hydrogen flow to Pt coated ti mesh electrode while Oxygen to uncoated Ti mesh electrode. The electrodes were connected to the voltmeter using a fine Cu wire, different voltages were obtained for different acid percentage. The best voltages were obtained by catalystizing polymer with (3%) wt, the electrical conductivity of the membranes measured by 4-Probe technique. It was found that the best value was for the membranes catalyze with (2,3,4) wt%. The chemical change associated with the new catalyzed membranes investigated by FT-IR. There was a shift in the absorption of acid addition shifted the absorb peaks, This indicates the change in the order of the membrane, which in turn affects the package of ionic conveyors Increased conductivity and thus increased membrane efficiency.